Gutiérrez's fundraising lead over Sedeño grows in Precinct 3 race

Ysidro Gutiérrez remains modest about his slight campaign fundraising lead over Lorenzo “Bubba” Sedeño, an $1,865 edge in a race where the candidates for Lubbock County Precinct 3 commissioner have raised more than $13,000 each in 2012.

Republican Gutiérrez reported raising $15,495 while Sedeño, a Democrat, reported raising $13,630 between January and the final reporting day Saturday, according to an Avalanche-Journal analysis of reports both candidates filed with the Lubbock County Office of Elections.

“Money is nice, but it’s more important to have the support and the enthusiasm of the voters,” Gutiérrez said.

Sedeño echoed Gutiérrez in downplaying the role of fundraising in the election.

“Money and signs only go so far,” he said. “It’s just stomping the ground and wasting shoe leather is what it comes down to and we’ve been campaigning for a year and a half.”

The most recent report, which covers Sept. 28 through Saturday, shows Gutiérrez outraised Sedeño by a nearly 2-to-1 ratio. Gutiérrez reported receiving $3,200 during the period compared to Sedeño’s $1,775. The bulk of Sedeño’s donations came during his race for the Democratic nomination, which ended in a July 31 runoff with incumbent Gilbert Flores, while Gutiérrez’s donations came after primary elections.

Sedeño reported having $1,933 left in his campaign account compared to Gutiérrez’s $1,250, with both candidates listing such expenses as advertising, food and signage.

Gutiérrez downplayed his fundraising lead.

“Shaking hands and asking for peoples’ vote is more important,” he said.

Gutiérrez’s largest contributions were from the Lubbock County Republican Party and Merciano Morales of Lubbock, who donated $1,000 each. Gutiérrez also received a $600 contribution from the Republican Party of Texas.

Sedeño’s latest report shows his largest contributions during the period were from Debbie Montford of San Antonio, who donated $1,000, and Katherine Mauro of Austin, who donated $500.

Earlier this year, Sedeño reported two $1,000 donations from former state Sen. John T. Montford. Sedeño served as a legislative assistant to Montford for 13 years.

In the Precinct 1 County Commissioners election, incumbent Republican Bill McCay was the only candidate who filed a contribution report, listing $245.57 in total political contributions maintained as of Saturday. He did not list expenses or contributions during the period. The other Precinct 1 hopefuls, Libertarian Jerry R. Russell Jr. and Green Party candidate W.L. Matheny, did not file reports, according to the elections office.

Early voting ends Friday. The general election is Nov. 6.

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Election

■ When: Nov. 6.

■ Early voting: Through Friday.

■ A list of voting locations is available at lubbockonline.com or through the Lubbock County Office of Elections at www.votelubbock.org.